The impact of agricultural extension type and form on technical efficiency under transition: An empirical assessment of wheat production in Uzbekistan

Agricultural Extension Services (AES) have the potential to increase agricultural productivity and sustainability. Although an extensive body of literature investigates into the impact of AES on technical efficiency in agricultural production, analyses of the combined effect of extension types and forms are still hard to come by within the international literature. Using the example of wheat farmers in Uzbekistan, this study is the first to assess the combined impact of extension types and forms. Using cross-sectional data for 323 wheat farmers, we employ a single-stage Maximum Likelihood procedure for a stochastic frontier production function for three different specifications. Specifically, extension frequency, type of extension systems, and a set of extensionist participatory approaches are purposefully distinguished in the analysis alongside other farm characteristics and observed covariates. Our study found that there are still considerable technical efficiency gaps in wheat production. In particular, aside farmers’ characteristics, the frequency of extension visits and extension participatory approaches are significant in explaining technical efficiency differences among wheat farmers in Uzbekistan and would thus be conducive to close mentioned efficiency gaps. We suggest that under a simplified state regulatory framework, a well-structured system of AES should be client-oriented, cost-efficient, and demand-driven. In order to close existing inefficiency gaps, all farmers should have access to participatory extension services.